Cabinet Approves ₹25,446 Crore Varanasi Highways
The Union Cabinet has approved two elevated highway projects worth ₹25,446 crore for Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The corridors are intended to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and shorten travel times for residents, pilgrims and commercial traffic entering the city.
Ganga Elevated Corridor Links NH-19
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a 46.04-kilometre, six-lane greenfield elevated corridor connecting National Highway 19 with the Varanasi Ring Road.
The project, commonly referred to as the Ganga Elevated Corridor, will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Model at a capital cost of ₹14,447.64 crore. It will provide a high-capacity route along the Ganga-side transport axis and divert through traffic away from crowded urban roads.
The corridor is expected to strengthen access between national highways, the Ring Road and major destinations across Varanasi.
Varuna Elevated Corridor to Ease Congestion
The second project involves a 43.2-kilometre elevated corridor along the Varuna River bank. It will include six-lane and four-lane sections and is estimated to cost ₹10,998.32 crore.
The Varuna Elevated Corridor is designed to improve movement across the city and reduce pressure on existing roads that regularly experience heavy traffic.
Together, the two corridors will create nearly 90 kilometres of elevated road infrastructure in Varanasi.
Highway Projects Target Faster Travel
The government expects the projects to improve the movement of people and goods while supporting tourism, trade and regional economic activity.
Varanasi attracts large numbers of pilgrims and tourists throughout the year, placing considerable pressure on its road network. The elevated corridors are intended to separate long-distance and through traffic from local movement, improve road safety and provide more reliable travel times.
